Monday, October 1, 2012

The Urge to Purge


Last October, my bloggy friend Marla hosted a “31 Days ofPurging” series.  I didn’t actively participate last year, but have come to the point I realize I desperately need to.  Our home is currently on the real estate market.  My hope is that moving will be fairly easy and painless when our house goes in contract.  I fear, however, the big move will be scattered and unnerving.

Add to that a control freak/perfectionist’s worst nightmare – not being able to find something in my house.  I try to keep everything in perfect order.  Even when everything isn’t tidy (Jay’s fault I promise!), there is still a place for everything and everything in its place. 

Picture it – Tennessee, late September.  A 30 something woman awakes on a rainy day to get ready for work.  Much to her dismay, her one and only umbrella is at the office.  Didn’t I buy a new one just a few weeks ago?  She thinks to herself.  Where did I put those sunglasses I got the same day?  She wonders.  In her search, she finds part of her sister’s birthday present in the closet.  CRAP! I finished her pressie off the same day.

I have searched my house and have been unable to find the following: 1 brand new pair of sunglasses, 1 brand new umbrella, 1 brand new _______ (just in case she’s reading this).  Sounds like an episode of hoarders if you ask me.  I’ve got so much stuff, I can’t find what I need.  Its honestly not that bad, but still unacceptable to me.

Lucky for me, we’re starting a new month today.  For the month of October I pledge to:

·        Purge 1 clothing item per day

·        Purge 1 non-clothing item per day

·        Sort through what I have and put what I’m keeping in working order

·        Pack up seasonal items that won’t be needed until after we’ve moved into the cabin

·        Re-evaluate my purchases.  Spending is a big part of the “too much stuff” equation.

Care to join me?

6 comments:

  1. I may just have to join you on this one. :) I emptied FIVE boxes from our garage yesterday. Five!!! And I barely put a dent in the boxes that are still in there from our move in Dec. 2008. Goodwill is going to be receiving so much stuff...

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  2. The first part of this sounds like me. I pick things up, put them somewhere and then can't find it. :)
    I need to do some purging too!

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  3. This sounds like a great idea! I might join you in the purging. If I clean out my garage & get rid of a few things at one time, does that count for a few days?! As for the clothes, I know I have stuff I don't wear. I'm afraid to get rid of them, though. I don't know how many times I've gotten rid of a shirt only to want it a month later... :/ Maybe I should turn my fall/winter hangers backward & commit to truly getting rid of the items I don't wear during this time??

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    1. that's what i plan on doing - i know i'll be too busy to get to it every day, so i'm more committing to purging 31 X 2 items.

      as for the hanger thing - i think that's a great idea. size fluctations aside, if you don't wear it ALL season, you {I} need to get rid of it.

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  4. How cool! I need to do those first two REALLY bad...

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